TF2Maps.net Mapping Contest #5: The Art Pass Contest

It's the ultimate accolade for a custom mapper; to have your work in an official TF2 map. Well, TF2Maps.net and Valve Software have teamed up to give ONE lucky mapper that opportunity. We've got our hands on an unfinished Valve map, and we need YOU to detail it! Think you're up to the challenge?

The winner, decided by the TF2 team at Valve, will have their map included in the next TF2 update! It's a 3 CP attack and defend map, similar to Gorge. You have total creative liberty with this, so we'd love to see what YOU can do!

The layout of the map must remain the same. YES you can change props. YES you can edit the gameplay slightly, it just needs to be obviously this map, no making new routes. You have a LOT of creative liberty, use it!

The map must be optimized to the point where it can be released to the world.

Custom content is allowed, but you must have permission from the content creator, because, should you win, the files would need to be officially acquired by Valve. The original author of the content must have source files to prove that they made it. This means you need to ask the content creators, not just give credit!

Mapping collaborations are not allowed in any form, as it presents a significant disadvantage for everyone who works alone. You are allowed to use an artist to create specific props/textures for your detailing, but the actual map detail must be done by you.

You are not allowed to advertise anything in your map, so no using those TF2Maps.net posters, Novint ones, or ads for other any communities.

Your map must be named in this fashion: artpass_yourusername.bsp and have a thread in the Contest Entries forum.

Here are some basic guiding principles for detailing your map:

Try to be unique. We are expecting a lot of people to enter; make sure you stand out from the crowd (but not in a bad way!)

Eligibility: Maps will be checked and disqualified when the contest submission deadline ends if they do not meet the rules.

Judging Categories

Creativity - Author's use of new or existing models, textures, sounds, in interesting or unique ways within the confines of the existing map layout.

Composition - Visually how well the map looks with all of its elements in place. Lighting, appropriate texture choices, colour composition, etc.

Technical - The map should be optimized for shipping and not bogged down in so much detail that only a few select users can run it.

Submission Procedure

Please note that once the maps are checked, they will be sent off to Valve. No changes can be made after this submission is made.

This time once the submission thread is up and the deadline set you will have until that deadline to the second with no exceptions. If you have any issues with your submission, if you need to fix it, contact me (zpqrei) and we'll see how we can fix your issue. It'll be done on a case-by-case basis, up to a week after the contest ends.

Prizes

The grand prize is of course, your map being included in TF2. More prizes may be added at a later date.